Day 15 – My God Is… Summer Bible Challenge

I learned a valuable lesson this week. BE BRAVE. Because if you aren’t, you might miss out on some of the greatest blessings of life.

I was challenged to remember that

My God Is…. ON MY SIDE.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8 says…

“Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! 8 He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.

A little over a month ago my friend Ana asked me to pray about coming to Guadalajara at the ed of July to speak at a women’s retreat at her dad’s church. A mission team from our church would be there and she wanted to come to encourage the women. I told her I would pray. But, to be honest, I began to search for excuses. I wanted to go; but, I was scared. I was scared to travel all that way and let down Ana and those sweet women. What if I couldn’t find the right words – words that would bless and strengthen and encourage. I was scared to go and fail.

But in my faltering, God was steady. (He always is.) He literally removed every obstacle I was using as an excuse – passport in (check), flight found (check), cost of flight covered (check). He reminded me of my key ministry verse Exodus 4:12 – “Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” There was nothing left for me to do but make a decision.Would I stay in my fear or would I trust the God who has called me to GO?

Fear can lead us to talk our way out of doing the very thing that can strengthen us and grow us and increase. Fear can paralyze us. Fear can prevent us from doing the things we’ve been called to do. But that kind of fear is not from God.

2 Timothy 1:7 says –

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Isaiah 41:10 says –

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Do you ever look at a task or an opportunity and think, “There is no way I could do that?” Can I just suggest that might be exactly what God wants us feeling AS WE MOVE with Him. We need to understand that “there is a power far greater on our side!” God wants us to be victorious. But, He also wants us to understand that the power is His not our own.

God says, “Go be my hands and feet. I will give you all the power you will need. Use your gifts. Love the people I’ve brought to you. Show my love. Increase your faith. Stretch yourself for me. And, watch what I do in your midst.”

Ultimately, I gave into God’s leading. That pounding deep in my heart every time I thought of going wasn’t fear, it was God getting my attention. That stirring of my heart was God saying, “Debbi, go for it! I have called you and equipped you. Now, go and remember I will be with you.”

When we face fears, we have a choice. We can let the fear become larger than our faith. Or, we can trust in the midst of our fears. God has promised to “work all things together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.” The word used for called means “go” but we often miss that. The working for good comes when we GO where He calls. Trust leads to strengthening. Obedience always leads to blessing.

I learned that this week. I set my fears aside and went to Guadalajara. And, I was BLESSED BEYOND WORDS. (Keep meeting me here each day, I’m going to share my journey with you over the next week.)

Sweet woman, BE BRAVE! Don’t let the enemy distract you by whispering thoughts of failure into your heart. Be strengthened by your God. Be courageous and walk with the One who has the power to do all things.

Heavenly Father, Give us strength. Replace our fears with Your promises. Help our hearts to trust in You when are scared. Give us the faith to go and do the things You call us to . Use us God to love and live for Your kingdom. Teach us to be women of courage and faith and determination. Take all that we are and use it for Your glory. In Your Loving Name, AMEN